A new path for educating binge-watchers

For me the time to binge-watch is a rare luxury.
My students consider Netflix a hobby. They have seen all of Grey's Anatomy. They bing-watch YouTube. This means they actually have a remarkable ability to stick with an idea, especially when it's delivered to them, and we should tap into that ability to make virtual learning better.
Three things we know: 
1. Twenty-first century learning is about critical thinking, creativity, communication and collaboration balanced with social and emotional competency.
2. Great educators innovate and educate with equity while personalizing learning.
3. But bell schedules are a road block because they silo learning. 50 minute periods tell kids to stop thinking about science. Take a 5 minute break. Then immerse themselves in the literature of language arts, etc. All. Day. Long.

Right now student mental health is in the spotlight and we need to innovate to tackle this crisis. Parents, administrators, students and teachers want children to have opportunities to socialize and we know that the isolation of virtual learning is making anxiety worse for some students.

Has anyone talked about how fewer classes in a day would really help with anxiety levels for adolescents learning virtually?
If we set aside school as babysitter and actually think about engagement and learning, I propose that middle school and high school students have at most 3 classes a day.

This idea emerged from a grueling Wednesday. I taught 4 shortened classes, then helped students during a study hall. I took a lunch break - which meant preparing food for my kids and walking my dog. Then I attended 4 back-to-back meetings in a row. All virtual.
 At the end of the day I was exhausted mentally. My eyes hurt from looking at the computer screen, despite my blue-light glasses. I was tired - even though I had been sitting for hours! ​
I have attended several virtual conference, with maybe 5 sessions in a day and I'm always mentally exhausted. I don't have to produce anything and most of the time I don't speak. I'm passively learning. There is definitely no assessment and my camera is off the entire time.

Many schools are so tied to a bell schedule in synchronous learning that we encourage teachers to start on time always, for accountability, but encourage teachers to give kids a break and feel free to end class early. When trying to imagine a 5-day a week face-to-face model that juggles safety with daily in-person contact, many suggest shortened classes so teachers can see more students in a day. This is backwards!
With a longer block of time - even 90 minutes, I could build in a break, without surrendering to the whim of an adolescent who may log off and disappear, but more importantly, we could engage in deep learning. One way to manage anxiety is to feel in control. Create a list. Check things off the list. Deeper learning in an extended class period allows for: 

• Taking time to develop an idea. Inquiry. Questions. Curiosity
• Exploration! If a child truly wants to understand a new idea, they have time !

• Practice! With support and accountability. With more time I can ask students to explore and then we can discuss. 
• Investigate something and actually share your ideas with a classmate and then the teacher to get feedback.
• Truly collaborate in a meaningful amount of time and at the end of the block feel DONE
• Feel a sense of  accomplishment!

As educators in 2020 we have tried to make hybrid work. We are working to make virtual learning work. We avoid assigning homework. We shorten classes. We focus on connection over content but it's time to try something new. It's time to give kids the experience of deeper learning. The gift of finishing something and feeling satisfied can bring some certainty and a sense of accomplishment which will help build their self esteem and confidence despite the circumstances.